In today’s episode, we take a step aside from Islamic & Indian art history to welcome Alexander Herman, director of the Institute of Art & Law in London. Alexander is specialised in the complex legislation of art and cultural heritage, and has recently published The Parthenon Marble dispute: Heritage, Law, Politics (Bloomsbury). In the episode, he offers the most valuable introduction to cultural heritage and provenance laws. He talks about his investigation in the dispute surrounding the Parthenon marbles, as well as several high profile cases involving art pieces, protection of cultural heritage and how to make sure the art you buy is legal and protected.

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Mentioned in the Episode and Further Links

• Follow the Art Informant on Instagram and X
• Follow Alexander Herman on X and LinkedIn
• The Institute of Art and Law
• Alexander Herman, The Parthenon Marbles Dispute: Heritage, Law, Politics, Bloomsbury, 2023 (Bloomsbury)
• The 1970 UNESCO convention
• The 1954 Hague Convention
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 for protection of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria
• The 1995 UNIDROIT convention
• Anne-Marie O'Connor, The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt's Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, Knopf Doubleday: 2015 (Amazon)
• Peter Watson, The Medici Conspiracy: The Illicit Journey of Looted Antiquities. From Italy's Tomb Raiders to the World's Greatest Museums, PublicAffairs, 2007 (Amazon)
• Art Law Podcast: "Turkey’s Quest for the Stargazer", part 1, 2 Dec. 2021
• Art Law Podcast: "Turkey’s Quest for the Stargazer", part 2, 2 Mar 2022
• The Art Loss Register
• The Lost Art Database
• The ICOM Red Lists
• Alexander Herman, "Methods of Securing Returns: Tough Stance of New York District Attorney Over Ancient Persian Artefact", Art, Antiquity and Law, Vol 23, Issue 4, 2018 (get in touch for a free copy)

Click here to see the reproductions of artifacts discussed in the episode.